Branded by Abi Ketner and Missy Kalicicki: Book Review

Title: Branded 

Author: Abi Ketner and Missy Kalicicki
Pages: 318 pages 
Overall: 5/5

Synopsis
Fifty years ago the Commander came into power and murdered all who opposed him. In his warped mind, the seven deadly sins were the downfall of society. He created the Hole where sinners are branded according to their sins and might survive a few years. At best.
Now LUST wraps around my neck like blue fingers strangling me. I've been accused of a crime I didn't commit and now the Hole is my new home.

Darkness. Death. Violence. Pain

Now every day is a fight for survival. But I won't die. I won't let them win.

The Hole can't keep me. The Hole can't break me.
I am more than my brand. I'm a fighter.
My name is Lexi Hamilton, and this is my story. 

          Whoof! Gosh, the synopsis was quite dramatic! The characters were all down-to-earth and hopelessly romantic. The concept of the story was even better! OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG Ok, I better calm down because right now, I am totally fangirling.
          I mean somehow, you can never go wrong with reading a dystopian YA book! I picked up this book without even reading the synopsis. The story takes place in a dystopian society set somewhere in the near future where people are imprisoned for violating the seven deadly sins- Envy, Lust, Pride, Greed, Anger, Sloth, and Gluttony. Of course, our main character just had to commit the sin of Lust (sexual desires). When they are convicted guilty, they are sent to the Hole, and branded with the color of their sin. In Lexi's case, she was branded with the color for Lust, which is ultimately blue. Along her journey in the hole she meets Cole, who turns out to be her guard. Throughout the book Cole tried to hide his feelings for Lexi, but in the end he starts to develop some real, hardcore feelings. BUT... having feelings or a sinner is strictly against the rules and is punishable by death. SO dramatic and heartbreaking! However some parts were just way too predictable. For example, when they mentioned that one guard who was shot to death because he fell in love with a sinner. From that moment on, I knew Cole was going to fall for Lexi.
         This book was A-M-A-Z-I-N-G! I would definitely put this on my list if I were you. The best way to explain this book is by saying that it was a mix of The Program (by Suzanne Young) and some Deadman Wonderland (a Japanese Anime). I'm not 100% sure if you'll get my reference, but that is the best I can do.
          I am waiting... and slowly anticipating the next book in the series. This is a must read! Must must must read! Buy it. Read it. Love it. That's the three steps of action you should take when you think of this book.
       
Character Analysis:
Lexi Hamilton-  She was always very apologetic and willing, which didn't play well with me. I like swooning over bad ass female protagonists. Lexi just wasn't one of my favorites. I also couldn't help but sympathize with her. However over the course of the book, she did grow to become the strong heroine she was at the end. I totally enjoyed that sort of an epiphany moment. Props to you Lexi :D

Cole- The fact that Cole never anticipated he would have feelings for Lexi made me crack up! It was almost too predictable. He was sincere. You know, always there when Lexi needed him; willing to take a bullet for her; and let's not forget how he treated his adorable dog, Zeus. But in the end, he fell her Lexi.

Favorite Line: "I never planned on falling for you. You were just an assignment. But it just sort of happened and now... There's not a single thing I would change about you. When you smile, my entire world stops. All I see is you. I need you."

Characters:  I have the oh-so-delicious Channing Tatum as Cole. As Lexi Hamilton I have Divergent's very own, Shailene Woodley! Wow. Now that I think of it, they make a perfect couple.